Stockholm, Nov 17, SPA -- Sweden today nominated Cecilia Malmstrom,minister for European Affairs, as a member of the next EuropeanCommission, dpa quoted Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt as saying. Malmstron was a "convinced European" and had "solid knowledge" ofthe EU, Reinfeldt told reporters. "We want an influential portfolio, including legislative affairs,"Reinfeldt said, but ruled out Malmstrom - or "a Swede" as a candidatefor the new post of foreign-policy chief set up under the LisbonTreaty. That in effect confirmed that Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was notin the running for the incoming commission as had been speculatedearlier. Reinfeldt said he had discussed Malmtrom"s nomination with theopposition and Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the EuropeanCommission. "The big challenges facing Europe, climate change and cross-bordercrime, could only be solved with a strong EU," Malmstrom said. Malmstrom belongs to the Liberal Party, junior member inReinfeldt"s centre-right coalition that took office in 2006. Before joining the government, Malmstrom was a member of theEuropean Parliament for seven years. The 41-year-old mother of two has a PhD in political science atthe Department of Political Science at the Unviesrity of Gothenburg. Sweden"s two previous commissioners were women and SocialDemocrats. Outgoing Margot Wallstrom has for the past five years beenCommissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy,and was Environment Commissioner from 1999 until 2004. In 1995, Anita Gradin was the first Swedish national to serve inthe executive. --SPA 19:03 LOCAL TIME 16:03 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/720051